By BARRY JACKSON bjackson@MiamiHerald.com The Dolphins' signing of Chad Pennington was widely praised Saturday by longtime NFL executives and prominent quarterbacks-turned-TV analysts. ''This,'' CBS' Boomer Esiason said, ``was a no-brainer. They will be a smarter and tougher team, and now they've got a good quarterback who has a point to prove.'' Said CBS' Phil Simms: ``Pennington has all the intangibles, extremely meticulous. Maybe he doesn't throw it hard enough sometimes, but if his arm is as weak as the public perceives it, he wouldn't survive in the NFL this long.'' Aside from Brett Favre to the New York Jets, Joe Theismann called Pennington's pickup ''as important an acquisition as any team'' made this summer. Former Redskins and Texans general manager Charley Casserly, of CBS, said, ``Pennington is the best quarterback on Miami's roster. He's got more strengths than Josh McCown, and I would pick him over McCown. If you're developing young quarterbacks, you have to have a role model. Now they have a guy to point to -- running an offense, leadership, efficiency.'' Said ESPN's Ron Jaworski: ``Josh McCown has the stronger arm, but Chad gives you a better chance. Excellent move. What the young quarterbacks can learn being around him is invaluable.'' But what about the arm strength? ''He can get the ball deep because he has great anticipation,'' Casserly said. Dolphins tight end Sean Ryan, who played with Pennington last year, downplayed the arm strength issue, noting, ``He always got the ball where it needed to be. He puts great touch on the ball and knew where his receivers were going to be. And he's got an inner drive that's unsurpassed.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/1262/story/635757.html
Charlie Casserly has been in the NFL a long time as a player personnel guy, he knows what he is talking about, it's a bit odd hearing a Dolphins personnel move being praised...
As much as we all hate the move because he was a Jet, it really is a good signing for us. McCown is proving he is still a poor option at QB. Henne is showing he has the goods to get it done down the road, its just to early for him. Beck... the jury is still out on. It doesnt appear he's ready to start just yet either though. Id much rather have to count on Chad Pennington to start and win us a few games instead of McCown thats for sure. He's intelligent, and is more of a leader than McCown could ever dream of being. Chad will make plays and do a good job controlling the younger guys in the huddle and on the sidelines. It really is a good move when you look at it that way.
Well, there is an article out this am that says that until we determine who the QB is we can't go much further...that was a very true statement. Now, that question is answered. Like most, it's a tough transition for us fans ( Pennington being a Jest for all those years and particularly for handing this team it's lunch more often than not) but once we see him in uniform it won't really matter any more.. The bottom line is that we now have our starting QB... That is one area we won't have to wait on to see how it's going to turn out. Of course, Henne or Beck could surprise us and make a perceived race of it, but do any of us really think that will happen?? The indications just aren't there. Parcells likes the veteran QB when at all possible... This is the most settled the starting QB position has been since Wannys' man-crush on Jay Fiedler.. That is a good thing for a team rebuilding...
Really starting to warm up to this signing. I think, when its all said and done, we will look back at this and say it was one of the most important, and value $ wise, we have had this year. Not just what he will bring to the position on the field but the leadership and control in the huddle he displays will be extremely beneficial to our young QB's. Say what you will, but no matter how you look at it, Pennington has been very successfull and is a good solid person.
I think we're all a little whiny right now about having an Ex-Jet QB, but the first time he pulls out a big win for us as a Dolphin, all will be forgiven. I'm already not hating the situation like I did when I first heard the news.
Dolphin fans spent years bashing Chad and now see what we saw all along, he is a good QB with an average arm and above average mind. Overall he upgrades the 2008 Dolphins from 3-4 wins to 5-7 wins. BZ